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Johnny and Nicola Morrissey: Vodka brand founders arrested in bed at gunpoint after being linked to crime cartel

Johnny has been linked to 38 ­murders and is thought to be a key player in the Kinahan Cartel — a crime syndicate alleged to be involved in a drug-smuggling racket worth millions
UPDATED SEP 25, 2022
Johnny Morrissey and wife Nicola's glitzy lifestyle saw celebs attend a bash they hosted (Nero Premium Vodka/ Instagram)
Johnny Morrissey and wife Nicola's glitzy lifestyle saw celebs attend a bash they hosted (Nero Premium Vodka/ Instagram)

Warning: This content contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion is advised.

MADRID, SPAIN: Nicola Morrissey, CEO of Nero Drink Company Limited, and Johnny Morrissey, her husband, were arrested in Spain last week. The report suggests that the Nero Drinks company was just a front for the massive money laundering operations Johnny ran.

Johnny is linked to 38 murders and is considered a key figure in the Kinahan Cartel, an Irish crime syndicate known for its multi-million dollar drug smuggling operation. Police believe he is known in these circles as 'Johnny Cash' and played a major role in laundering $18.78 billion over the past 18 months.

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There were many celebrities who are linked to the millionaire duo. Nicola and her husband recently launched their vodka with a lavish party at Marbella’s five-star Puente Romano Hotel. The Gladiator-themed bash was stunned by the performances of fire dancers and acrobats and was entertained by world-class house violinist Quike Navarro. A party regular spoke to The Sun, “They never did anything by half. You always knew that if ­they were putting on the show, money was going to be thrown around like confetti.”

When arrested, Nicola even raised her middle finger as she was walked out by armed Spanish cops. According to The Sun, The US authorities said of Morrissey, who attended Daniel Kinahan’s wedding in Dubai in 2017: “John Morrissey has worked for the Kinahan Organised Crime Group for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitates international drug shipments for the organization from South America. He is also involved in money laundering.”

Former CAB officer Felix McKenna opined, “He fell into a group of criminals who left Ireland following the formation of CAB and made a lot of money abroad and still make a lot of money in the narcotics business. Hopefully, these men are all incarcerated in the forthcoming years and locked away for a long time.”

The three-page statement, issued by the Civil Guard and posted on the Spanish Home Office’s official website, states they have taken out the “most important international criminal organization operating in Spain devoted to money laundering”. As per the recent report, Morrissey had been identified as a “High-Value Target” by the European crime-fighting organization. The Spanish authorities branded Nero a “front company” after arresting the couple, insisting there was no way it could be financing their lavish lifestyle.

In a recent interaction with exclusive life, Nicola claimed, “Everything John and I do is to provide a happy and secure life for Sean and our family. Like many couples with businesses, John and I sometimes ­disagree but we respect each other’s opinions and understand we are both working towards the same goal.”

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